Giants show they are true champs

Humble is not a term used often in this day and age, anywhere, much less in the world of hyperbole sports.

Congratulations to the San Francisco Giants, the World Series champs, for both winning and for being humble about it and strong enough to say so.

When the final game ended in Texas and the Giants were the winners, the usual mob scene at the mound occurred, with players jumping on one another or anyone in site.

Yet, just minutes after this scene, the players and owners were in front of the mikes with the required “I never thought this would happen” time and despite the adrenalin of the moment, they spoke with measured and understanding tones.

Brian Sabean, the GM, was almost quiet in speaking. He spoke of the history of the Giants, “those who had come before,” of the supportive fans and the team that no one thought could win.

Larry Baer, the president of the team and a fourth generation San Franciscan, referred to “those who have passed through Seal Stadium,” the old minor league ball park where games were played long before the city had a major league club.

The likes of Joe DiMaggio passed through that yard.

Manager Bruce Bochy could not measure his good fortune. He found each player to give them a hug. He came out of the clubhouse and shook hands at home plate in a mostly empty park with Nolan Ryan, the GM of the Rangers.

He wanted none of the credit and was “humbled” that this team had won.

Brian Sabean said of the win, “This buried a lot of bones – ‘62, ‘89, and 2002. This group deserved it, faithful from the beginning. We’re proud and humbled by the achievement.”

There is just something very human there. There is something very compelling and human in a world of loud and undeserving athletes who have little sense of how lucky they are.

Nice job Giants.

Humble as well was former major league manager Sparky Anderson. His passing takes from us yet another of the all time good guys in sports.

There was nothing better than sitting in his office at the old Tiger Stadium and listening to the stories.

He told them with a pipe in his mouth and a pair of long johns on. The sight may not have been pretty, but the stories were great and so was the man.

It can be said of Anderson that the accolades that will now come are deserved. His life was of joy and excellence.